News Blog: Major transportation improvements coming to East Portland through PBOT's East Portland Access to Employment and Education Project

While Portland Bureau of Transportation crews jump into the 2018 construction season, the planning and design of future projects continues as the bureau looks toward 2019. One such project is the East Portland Access to Employment & Education (EPAEE) project.

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News Release: PBOT, Portland Police Bureau encourage Portlanders to take a Safe Ride Home on St. Patrick's Day

(March 14, 2018) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will offer discounted taxi, Lyft and Uber rides on Saturday as part of it's Safe Ride Home program for Portlanders celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The Safe Ride Home initiative makes it easy to celebrate responsibly by providing Portlanders with discounted travel options.

Up to $20 savings on taxi rides with Radio Cab, Broadway Cab, Union Cab, New Rose City Cab, New Green Cab, PDX Yellow Cab and United Independent Cab. Coupons will be available for pickup on St. Patrick's Day from participating businesses and Portland Police Bureau officers in the Central City.

A $5 savings on rides with Lyft and Uber. Riders can access the discount by entering a promo code into their apps. For Lyft, use promo code SAFERIDEHOME. For Uber, use promo code SAFERIDEPDX. Promo codes will be available beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 through 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 18.

Take TriMet (only $2.50 for an adult pass for the bus or MAX) or Portland Streetcar ($2.00 for an adult pass).

Impaired driving is a major contributor to death and injury on Portland streets. More than half of deadly crashes in Portland involve people who are intoxicated. Safe Ride Home helps to achieve the City of Portland’s Vision Zero Action Plan’s goal of launching initiatives to reduce impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, almost two-fifths (39%) of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in the United States involved drunk driving. This is the second Safe Ride Home holiday offer from PBOT, the first was on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2017.

"After such a successful Safe Ride Home program on New Year's, with over 2,500 people choosing a safe ride, I'm thrilled that we are bringing back our safe ride offerings for Portlanders on St. Patrick's Day," said Transportation Director Leah Treat. "Over 50 percent of deadly crashes in Portland involve people who are impaired. As we continue our Vision Zero efforts, we are working to make our roads safer for all users. Thanks to our private for-hire ride fee, we will continue to fund this important initiative."

The Safe Ride Home program is a partnership between PBOT, the Portland Police Bureau, TriMet, Old Town Hospitality Group, and Portland cab companies Radio Cab, Broadway Cab, New Rose City Cab, New Green Cab, PDX Yellow Cab and United Independent Cab, as well as transportation network companies Lyft and Uber. The program is funded by a 50-cent fee charged for every taxi and TNC ride in Portland. The fee also covers safety inspections and helps defray the cost of rides for people with disabilities.